US Foreign Affairs Committee requests President Ruto to address Congress

President William Ruto addresses African Heads of State and Governments during the World Bank IDA African Heads of State Summit in Nairobi. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

The US House of Foreign Affairs Committee has formally written to Speaker Mike Johnson requesting that Kenya's President William Ruto address a joint session of Congress during his visit.

Ruto is scheduled to visit the U.S. later this month.

In the letter, House Foreign Affairs Committee Member Gregory Meeks and Committee Chairman Michael McCaul request that Ruto addresses Congress, in honour of Kenya-U. S relations.

"We are writing to respectfully request that you extend a formal invitation to the President of the Republic of Kenya, William Samoei Ruto, to address a joint session of Congress on his official visit to the United States," the letter read in part.

The members said that Ruto's address would come at a time when the United States and Kenya are marking 60 years of diplomatic relations.

"This year, we are celebrating the historic 60th anniversary of the U.S.-Kenya diplomatic relationship."

"U.S.-Kenya relations continue to deepen, encompassing strong political, economic, technological, and cultural ties. The United States is among Kenya's largest trading partners and Kenya is one of Africa's most dynamic economies," it said.

If invited, Ruto would be the first Kenyan Head of State to address a joint session of Congress, and the second African Head of State to address Congress.

Former Liberia President Ellen Sirleaf Johnson addressed the US Congress 18 years ago.

The request, should it be accepted, will see President Ruto address the joint session on or about May 23.